James c



(No Model.)

J. O. BISHOP.

I GAR COUPLING.

Patented Dec. 4, 1894.

UNITED STATES? Prion, V

PATENT JAMES C. BISHOP, OF MARBLE FALLS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO S. H. USSERY AND R. L. HARRELL, OF SAME PLACE.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 530,081, dated December 4, 1894.

Application filed December 19, 1893. Serial No. 494,042- (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, JAMES C. BISHOP, of Marble Falls, county of Burnet, State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. The object of my invention is to produce an Improved automatic coupler, which may be readily coupled by the striking together of adacent couplers of the same class, and which may be conveniently uncoupled by a person standing at a distance from the coupler without going between the cars, as with the ordinary couplers.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is an end view of my coupler. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. Fig. 3 is a central, vertical section with the link in the act of coupling. Fig. 4 IS a similar view, showing the link in the coupled position. Fig. 5 is a view of the gate or link lever detached.

Referring to the figures on the drawings: 1 indicates a draw bar and 2 a coupling head, preferably made square and hollow, as illustrated, and having, under a projection, a gate or link lever 3, enlarged at its upper end, as indicated at 4, and hinged, as indicated, by pivot studs 5, so that normally it drops against the bottom of the coupling head, as illustrated.

6 indicates a funnel shaped orifice opening through the end of the coupler head into its recess opposite the gate and at right angles to its axis. The gate is provided with a central aperture 7 and with a guide recess 8 extending from the bottom of the gate into the central aperture.

9 indicates a link having a bulbous head 10. In practice, the head of the link strikes against the gate and lifts it on its hinges until the bulbous head passes into the guide recess 8, whence it is guided into the central orifice and is securely held, the gate bearing against the solid walls of the coupling head.

On the end of one of the pivot studs 5 is secured a lever 12 working in a recess 13 in the side of the coupler head and having a stud 14. by which the lever can be raised from the top or side of the box car, for example. By this means the gate 3 may be conveniently raised for uncoupling the car.

For supporting thelink in position for coupling to an adjacent coupling head, I provide a supporting lever 15 carried in suitable bearings in the face of the coupler head and adapted to be operated by a lever 16 from one side. A recess 17 conformable to the shape of the supporting lever is preferably in the face of the coupler head, so that when the lever is in the depressed position, it will present no obstructions on the face of the coupler.

The rectangular bend of the link support or lever 15 is located, as before stated, in the corresponding recess 17, and by this arrangement it cannot, when cars come together for coupling, be injured by being crushed between the contacting draw-heads. The rectangular drop or bend also causes it to lie below the mouth or orifice of the draw-head, to prevent a link from coming in contact with it during the operation of coupling.

The upper part of the coupling head is preferably provided with a hinged lid to protect the working parts within the coupling head.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a coupling head having a front orifice, a pivoted gate provided with-a link retaining aperture and.a guide recess having concave converging sides, a rectangular supporting lever adapted to rest normally in a correlatively shaped recess in i the front of the coupler head, mechanism to one side of the coupler head operatively connected with the gate and with the supporting lever respectivei y, whereby they may be raised or lowered independently of each other, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a coupling head provided with a funnel shaped orifice 6 and an angular recess 17, of a pivoted gate 3 provided with a central aperture 7 and a guide recess 8, of a supporting lever 15 adapted to rest normally within the recess 17 in the face of the coupler, a gate actuatinglever 12, and an actuating lever 16, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with'a hollow coupling head provided with a funnel shaped front orifice 6, a rectangular recess 17 in its face and a recess 13 in its side, of the gate 3 provided with a central aperture 7 and guide recess 8, a lever 12 movable in the recess 13, a supdraw-head, whereby during the operation of coupling it is safely housed out of contact with the link or the approaching draw-head, substantially as described.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JAMES C. BISHOP.

Witnesses:

C. S. COKER, HUGH SAUNDERS. 

